This chapter explores the manipulative and coercive aspects of playing hard to get in dating, discussing the mixed messages it sends and the potential for confusion. It also highlights the existence of workshops and dating gurus who teach these tactics solely for sexual purposes.
Folk wisdom suggests that playing ‘hard to get’ can help you attract a potential partner. But many psychologists have been skeptical about whether it does have an effect in dating. Over the past few years several new studies on the effect have aimed to pin down the rare circumstances where it might actually be effective.